Caregiving Near Life's End: The National Train-the-Trainer Program

The intervention assists caregivers in finding meaning, purpose and value during the end-of-life caregiving experience.

Organization:

Suncoast Hospice

Suncoast Hospice is the nation's largest not-for-profit, community-based provider of hospice and palliative care. The Hospice provides care for tens of thousands of people annually, and leads innovative service delivery, social change advocacy, technology development and other end-of-life initiatives.

Location:

Largo, FL

How does it work?

Based upon a national needs assessment of hospice family members and informal caregivers, this intensive training program offers participants the skills and training materials needed to implement an effective caregiver training program in their community.

Why is it successful?

The program is the recipient of several awards: Winner of the 2003 National Council of Hospice & Palliative Professionals Award of Excellence for Public Education Program for Patients and Families, the 2003 Excellence in Research Award from The Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Studies, and recognized for Innovation and Quality in Healthcare and Aging, 2005, American Society on Aging.

In evaluations, trainers report high satisfaction with the program. Additionally, the intervention was found to significantly improve caregiver comfort with carrying out tasks, and sense of finding closure.

For more information: www.thehospice.org